Rail vehicle comprising an engine compartment and at least one driver's cab, and method for generating overpressure in the engine compartment

Abstract

In order to optimize the failure safety of electrical and electronic components located in an engine compartment of a rail vehicle, which additionally comprises at least one driver's cab, the rail vehicle is operated with an air conditioning system, which is provided to generate overpressure in the engine compartment and to control the climate of the at least one driver's cab. The air conditioning system includes a first air guidance system to introduce fresh air into the at least one driver's cab and a second air guidance system to transmit at least one part of the fresh air introduced into the at least one driver's cab into the engine compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0001]The present invention relates to a rail vehicle, for example a traction vehicle, especially a locomotive, a driving unit or a motor coach for a rail vehicle unit train, especially a driving unit for heavy rail vehicle unit trains, for example for long-distance, freight and regional trains wherein the rail vehicle has a system for air conditioning of the at least one driver's cab. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for generating an overpressure in the engine compartment in conjunction with an air conditioning system for the at least one driver's cab.Description of Related Art[0002]The engine compartment of such vehicles accommodates electrical equipment that is necessary in particular for operating the rail vehicle, for example, electrical components intended to supply power for an electrical traction drive, as well as auxiliary systems that do not directly serve to drive the vehicle, for example equipment fo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]In still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning system furthermore comprises at least one closing device that prevents the air transmitted into the engine compartment from flowing back into the at least one driver's cab. This can be a check valve but also any other device suitable for this purpose, for example, a valve that closes automatically or due to an outside trigger signal as soon as air tries to escape from the engine compartment back into the driver's cab. This closing device serves in particular to maintain an adequate overpressure in the engine compartment without an increased flow of air into the engine compartment being constantly necessary. In particular, this closing device serves to maintain the overpressure once achieved even if the overpressure threatens to dissipate because of a malfunction, for example, a failure of at least one of the engine

Problems solved by technology

Otherwise, the service life of this equipment is limited and its failure rate increases.

However, it has been found that the failure rate cannot be reduced sufficiently despite this.

Furthermore, i

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